Nicholls women's basketball team signs three

Published: Friday, December 7, 2012 at 8:00 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, December 7, 2012 at 8:30 p.m.

Nicholls State women’s basketball coach DoBee Plaisance announced the signing of three players to its 2013-14 recruiting class.

Joining the Colonels are forward Elexus Allen (John Paul Stevens in San Antonio), center Marina Lilly (Skyline High School in Dallas) and guard Taylor Morrison (St. Michael the Archangel in Baton Rouge).

“Our 2013 class is an extremely versatile group and addresses several needs,” Plaisance said. “We are elated about these three talented players. All they are going to do is mesh right into what we already have going on here at Nicholls.”

Allen (6-foot-1) is a three-year letterwinner and earned second-team all-district the last two years. Allen, who is ranked No. 10 in the San Antonio area 2013 class by River City Hoop Scoop, led her team to a district runner-up in 2011-12 as they finished with a 28-7 record. In the AAU circuit, she played for Sophia Young Elite under head coach Mike Ekanem. Allen is also a member of the track team at Stevens, earning an all-district championship while qualifying for regionals and state.

“Elexus is an Alisha Allen-type player,” Plaisance said. “We won’t be replacing Alisha, but Elexus brings the same type of versatility. She’s a tough matchup who can put it on the floor but yet shoot from outside.”

A 6-3 center, Lilly has lettered the last three years, starting in her junior and senior years. As a junior, Lilly averaged 10 points and nine rebounds, making first-team all-district. Lilly, who earned Rebounder of the Year and the Character Award at Skyline, played AAU for the Texas Lady Tigers, winning a national championship in 2009. In addition, the Lady Tigers claimed third place in 2010 and her team won the Slammin’ on the River Championship in Arkansas in 2012.

“Marina’s a legit 6-3 post player, which is something we have not seen since I’ve been here,” Plaisance said. “She can play the high-low game better than anyone I’ve seen in a long time.”

Morrison, a 5-8 combination guard, will be the third former St. Michael Lady Warrior to be signed by Plaisance, joining KK Babin and Jasmine Scott. Morrison has earned Louisiana High School Basketball Coaches Association All-State honors twice, and received Louisiana Sports Writers Association Second-Team All-State as a sophomore and honorable mention last season. A two-time All-Metro and three-time first-team All-District honoree, Morrison, who plays AAU with the Louisiana Heat, eclipsed 1,000 points for her career last season.

“Taylor is a sharp-shooting combo guard and just a great all-around player,” Plaisance said. “She’ll bring added strength to our backcourt and will fit perfectly into our system. And she’s a local flavor which I love.”

The Colonels, who are currently 6-2 and receiving votes in the Mid-Major Top 25 Poll, have only four upperclassmen on the roster this season. The lone senior, Alisha Allen, leads the squad in scoring at 14.3 points per game.

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